Tips to Prevent Scalds

Scalds, or burns from hot liquids, are the # 1 cause of burn injuries among children in the United States. Most scald burns occur in the bathroom and kitchen. You can get a bad scald burn in as little as 1 second. To protect your family, follow these safety tips:

• Never hold a child while drinking a hot liquid.
• Always check to see that there is nothing in your path before carrying hot liquids.
• Turn pot handles to the back of the stove so children can’t bump into or pull them down.
• Cook on rear burners of the stove, if possible, and use pot holders.
• When young children are present, avoid the use of tablecloths and keep hot foods in the center of the table, out of reach.
• Place hot liquids and appliances far from the edge of counters and tables, out of children’s reach.
• Prevent cords from dangling by rolling them up.
• Never leave children alone in the bathtub.
• Always test the bath water with a thermometer or your hand before bathing young children. (Water temperature should not be higher than 100 degrees because their skin in thinner and can burn more easily.)

The simplest way to prevent bathroom scalds is to reduce the temperature on your hot water heater to 130 degrees or lower!